# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S53 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION 53 Elections Dr. Herman Scherer, speaking for the Floor Com- mittee on Elections, declared the elections closed after ballots had been distributed for the remaining unfilled positions of officers and boards of the Synod. Point of Privilege Dr. Ralph Bohlmann, on a point of privilege, stated that he hoped President David Preus would not misunderstand the resolution regarding fellowship which had been adopted by the convention. He pointed out that no due date had been set for the end of fellowship but that the resolution only asked for reconsideration of the matter at the convention in 1979. Information Secretary Mueller reported the address of delegate Norman David to the convention in order to provide an opportunity for delegates to write to him if they wished to do so. He also asked them to remember Pastor David in their prayers. President Preus announced that the packets con- taining a cassette and filmstrip of the convention would be available to voting delegates at the close of the session. Ethnic Concerns Chairman Bryant Clancy of the Floor Committee on Ethnic Concerns presented Res. 10-17 (TB 167), calling for the support of ministry among North American Indians. In adopting it the convention resolved that the synodical task force for ministry to the American Indians should receive the full support of the Synod, asked it to recognize the Center for Indian Ministry and Studies at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, as a valuable resource for ministry to the American Indian people, and resolved to establish on one of the college campuses a program for training workers for evangelism work among the American Indians. After the floor committee had deleted the first three whereases of Res. 10-14 (TB 166), as well as the words “Blacks and” in lines 3 and 25 (TB 166), and after the convention had adopted an amendment changing the resolve to read: “That the Synod in convention direct the Board of Directors to provide $25,000 to make possible a program of scholarships to Hispanics who are enrolled in a pastoral training program at a synodical college or seminary,” it adopted the resolu- tion as amended. Resolution 10-15 (TB 166), calling for the Synod to recognize the need for training students in ethnic ministries and for insertion of required courses, workshops, and seminars into the curriculum of the schools of higher education for the accomplishment of this, was also accepted. By adoption of Res. 10-13 (TB 165) delegates resolved that special and concerted efforts should be made by officials, boards, and congregations of the Synod to correct the image of church work which is present for young Blacks since this image often discourages many who are qualified academically, spiritually, and emotionally from enter- ing the work, and in Res. 10-21 (TB 169) encouraged Black youth representation on youth boards. Since many Black teachers enter into teaching in Lutheran schools from public institutions, the Synod was asked to review the requirements for the colloquy program with the purpose of qualifying public college graduates for the teaching ministry in the church through correpondence courses and other methods (Res. 10-20, TB 169). The convention agreed with the Floor Committee on Ethnic Concerns in declining Overture 10-08 (CW 323), calling for the development of liturgical music and hymnody appropriate to Black con- gregations, by adopting Res. 10-22 (TB 169). They agreed that support for Alabama Lutheran Academy and College should be accelerated, that one Sunday out of the year should be designated as Alabama Lutheran Academy and College Sunday, that on this Sunday congregations should be informed about this important segment of the Synod’s ministry, and that offerings should be received in support of it (Res. 10-05, TB 161). Adoption of this resolution completed the work of the Committee on Ethnic Concerns. Chairman Clancy commended the spirit of the convention which was evident in adopting the resolutions of the committee. Point of Privilege On a point of privilege a member of the Board of Control of Alabama Lutheran Academy and College also expressed his appreciation for the actions of the convention. On another point of privilege a member of the Board for Missions proposed the following resolution: WHEREAS, The Black Lutheran Centennial Committee was formed by our Synod and has carried out a commen- dable task; and Wuereas, The Black Mission Model Task Force was authorized by the Synod in convention at Anaheim and was duly appointed by the Board for Missions; and Wuereas, The Ethnic Concerns Floor Committee of the convention carried out a very responsible task, and WHEREAS, The above three entities are a most joyous, historic milestone in the Synod’s history; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS assembled in convention commend the Black Mission Model Task Force and the Ethnic Concerns Committee for the respective work and leadership; and be it further Resolved, That we thank God for their diligence and for the historic milestone by a rising vote of thanks. This proposal was enthusiastically adopted by the convention. On another point of privilege the delegates, in response to a plea from President Zimmermann of the Indiana District, agreed to reconsider Res. 7-26A (TB 302) by a vote of 427 to 394. Following discussion they passed a motion to postpone action on this matter indefinitely. Information Rev. Marcus Zill, Stewardship Counselor, presented to the Synod a gift of $12,700 from Lakeside Lutheran Church of Venice, Fila., which had been gathered through the Mission 2 effort for scholarships for national New Guinea workers.